1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 31 October 2017 b. Date Received: 21 December 2017 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of an uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, transferred from the Army Reserve to the Air Force reserve and finished the last few years of the contract in Air Force Inactive Reserve. The only DD Form 214 the applicant has from the Army, but line block 24 reflects "Uncharacterized," which presented an issue when the applicant tried to use a VA Home Loan. The applicant states the discharge is honorable and the Air Force instructed the applicant to submit an application to have the Army DD Form 214 upgraded to reflect honorable and not uncharacterized. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 1 April 2020, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was too harsh based on the circumstances surrounding the discharge and as a result it is inequitable. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade to the characterization of service to honorable. Additionally, notwithstanding the propriety of the applicant's discharge, the Board found that the applicant's DD Form 214, block 27 contains the erroneous reentry eligibility (RE) code of NA. In view of the error, the Board directed an administrative correction to block 27 to read RE-1, as required by Army Regulations. (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason / Authority / Codes / Characterization: Completion of Required Active Service / AR 635-200 / Chapter 4 / MBK / NA / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 26 January 2006 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: NIF (2) Basis for Separation: Completion of Required Active Service (3) Recommended Characterization: NIF (4) Legal Consultation Date: NIF (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: NIF 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 4 August 2005 / NIF (IADT) b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 19 / 2 years college / NIF c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-2 / 92A10, Automated Logistical Specialist / 7 months, 11 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: USAR, 16 June 2005 - 3 August 2005 / NA e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: NDSM, ASR g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: The applicant's Enlistment/Reenlistment Document, dated 16 June 2005, reflects the applicant was ordered to report to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) on 4 August 2005. The applicant's DD Form 214, reflects he was transferred to his assigned Reserve unit upon his discharge from active duty; and, he had a Reserve Obligation Termination Date of 15 June 2013. Block 23, Type of Separation, reflects: Release from Active Duty Training. Orders 08-022-00008, dated 22 January 2008, reflects the applicant was discharged from the U.S. Army Reserve, effective 29 November 2007. The Type of Discharge: Honorable. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: Online application; Reserve Order CA-002847; DA Form 5016; DD Form 214; ARPC Form 156; Service History report; Orders 08-0222-00008. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: The applicant provided evidence that he honorably served in the Air Force Reserve. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 3, paragraph 3-7, establishes the types of administrative discharges/character of service. An honorable discharge is a separation with honor. The honorable characterization is appropriate when the quality of the Soldier's service generally has met the standards of acceptable conduct and performance of duty for Army personnel or is otherwise so meritorious that any other characterization would be clearly inappropriate. Only the honorable characterization may be awarded a Soldier upon completion of his/her period of enlistment or period for which called or ordered to AD or ADT or where required under specific reasons for separation, unless an entry-level status separation (uncharacterized) is warranted. Chapter 4, establishes the policies and procedures for separating a Soldier upon expiration of enlistment of fulfillment of service obligation. The periods of military service required of all Army Soldiers will be in accordance with applicable laws. Periods for which enlistment is authorized are in NGR 600-200, AR 140-111, and AR 601-210. Periods for which Soldiers are ordered to AD are prescribed by law. Soldier enlisted or ordered to AD normally will be discharged or released from AD on the date he/she completes the period for which enlisted or ordered to AD. Personnel released from AD and transferred to the USAR upon completion of the term of service for which ordered into active Federal service, or released to their Reserve Component upon completion of AD. These Soldiers will not be discharged until completion of their reserve obligation. Paragraph 4-5, states, a Soldier being separated upon expiration of enlistment or fulfillment of service obligation will be awarded a character of service of honorable, unless the Soldier is in entry-level status and service is uncharacterized. Army Regulation 635-5-1 (Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes) provides the specific authorities (regulatory or directive), reasons for separating Soldiers from active duty, and the SPD codes to be entered on the DD Form 214. It identifies the SPD code of "MBK" as the appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 4, for completion of required active service, who are eligible to reenlist or with a DCSS in force and who are REFRAD on completion of enlistment or period for which ordered to active duty and transferred to the Reserve Components to complete Military Service obligation. The SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table shows that a Soldier assigned an SPD Code of "MBK" will be assigned an RE Code of 1, when not separated for cause. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of his uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant's available record of service, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The record confirms that the applicant's discharge was appropriate because the quality of his service was consistent with the Army's standards for acceptable personal conduct and performance of duty by military personnel. The applicant's record is void of the specific facts and circumstances concerning the events which led to his discharge from the Army. However, the applicant's record does contain a properly constituted DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), which was authenticated by the applicant's signature. The DD Form 214 indicates the applicant was discharged under the provisions of AR 635-200, Chapter 4, by reason of Completion of Required Active Service, with a characterization of service of Uncharacterized. Barring evidence to the contrary, it appears that all requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant would have been protected throughout the separation process. Further, the uncharacterized description of service accurately reflects the applicant's overall record of service. An uncharacterized discharge is neither positive nor negative and it is not meant to be a negative reflection of a Soldier's military service. It merely means that the Soldier has not been in the Army long enough for his or her character of service to be rated as honorable or otherwise. The service record confirms the applicant had completed the period for which he was ordered to Active Duty. The evidence of the record reflects that the applicant entered Active Duty on 4 August 2005, for completion of IADT. At the time of the applicant's discharge, the applicant had served 5 months and 23 days on Active Duty. The applicant's official service record reflects no acts of misconduct or derogatory information. Upon the applicant's separation from Active Duty, he was transferred to his Reserve unit of assignment to serve his remaining service obligation until 15 June 2013. The applicant contends his discharge should reflect honorable as he completed his enlistment in the U.S. Army Reserve with the Air Force Reserve. However, the record does not contain any indication or evidence of arbitrary or capricious actions by the command and all requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. The character of the applicant's discharge is commensurate with his overall service record. Further, when Soldiers are discharged from the Reserve, orders are published to record the discharge. A DD Form 214, is issued to reflect periods of Active Duty service. Evidence of the record reflects the applicant was issued discharge orders from the U.S. Army Reserve on 22 January 2008, wherein he received an honorable discharge. Based on the service record, it appears that someone in the discharge process erroneously entered on the applicant's DD Form 214, block 27, reentry code as NA. The service record confirms the applicant had completed the period for which he was ordered to Active Duty and then assigned to his Reserve unit. Soldiers processed for separation under this provision will be assigned a Narrative Reason for Separation of Completion of Required Active Service. Further, the Soldier will be assigned an SPD Code of MBK and an RE Code of 1. The burden of proof remains with the former Soldier to provide the appropriate documents such as the discharge packet or other evidence sufficient to explain the facts, circumstances, and reasons underlying the separation action, for the Board's consideration. If the applicant desires a personal appearance hearing, it is his responsibility to meet the burden of proof since the discharge packet is not available in the official record. The Army Discharge Review Board is authorized to consider post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge. However, there is no law or regulation which provides an unfavorable discharge may be upgraded based solely on the passage of time or good conduct in civilian life subsequent to leaving the service. Outstanding post-service conduct, to the extent such matters provide a basis for a more thorough understanding of the applicant's performance and conduct during the period of service under review, is considered during Board proceedings. The Board reviews each discharge on a case-by-case basis to determine if post-service accomplishments help demonstrate previous in-service misconduct was an aberration and not indicative of the member's overall character. Notwithstanding the administrative error, based on the available record, the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the regulation, was within the discretion of the separation authority and that the applicant was provided full administrative due process. 9. BOARD DETERMINATION: In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 1 April 2020, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was too harsh based on the circumstances surrounding the discharge and as a result it is inequitable. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade to the characterization of service to honorable. The Board determined the narrative reason, SPD code and RE code were proper and equitable and voted not to change them. Additionally, notwithstanding the propriety of the applicant's discharge, the Board found that the applicant's DD Form 214, block 27 contains the erroneous reentry eligibility (RE) code of NA. In view of the error, the Board directed an administrative correction to block 27 to read RE-1, as required by Army Regulations. 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a New DD-214: Yes b. Change Characterization to: Honorable c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change Authority to: No Change e. Change SPD / RE Code to: No Change / RE-1 Authenticating Official: Legend: AWOL - Absent Without Leave GD - General Discharge NCO - Noncommissioned Officer SCM - Summary Court Martial BCD - Bad Conduct Discharge HS - High School NIF - Not in File SPCM - Special Court Martial BH - Behavioral Health HD - Honorable Discharge NOS - Not Otherwise Specified SPD - Separation Program Designator CG - Company Grade Article 15 IADT - Initial Active Duty Training OAD - Ordered to Active Duty TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury CID - Criminal Investigation Division MP - Military Police OMPF - Official Military Personnel File UNC - Uncharacterized Discharge ELS - Entry Level Status MST - Military Sexual Trauma PTSD - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder UOTHC - Under Other Than Honorable Conditions FG - Field Grade Article 15 NA - Not applicable RE - Reentry VA - Veterans Affairs ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE AR20170019421 1